Fascinating - I went off to look at her author page and have now bought a book! I am inspired to think this is possible. I know I am a writer, but a non-fiction writer - however, maybe it's possible to write a novel one day too! Thank you Sally and Patricia :)
Hi Jane, Patricia’s story of falling love with writing a bit later in life than many is really inspiring to me, too. We’ve all got a story that’s a book in us, just waiting to be told.
Hi Sally, I've missed you. Glad to find you again.
What an exciting life that began as 'something to do' and feels like a seasoned passion. Love the travel stories and writing about maturing women. Thank you!
Sally as I grow yet again sad & despondent that a novel I worked so hard on over 3 years, and pitched to 67 agents (with 2 full reads that were passed), still lives on my hard drive rather than in the imagination of readers, Patricia inspires me so very much! I turned 65 on Saturday and I won’t let myself believe it’s too late for me.
Amy, Patricia too was turned down many times. I was also quite impressed that she fought the publisher to save her ending. I think many of us what do whatever we were asked just to get the novel to print. Keep on trying!
It was such fun to read this interview with Patricia. She gives me hope, both with her later in life publishing career and her insistence on mature women protagonists and readers who want them, too. Last week on my Substack I interviewed debut author Niloufar Lamakan who wrote Aged to Perfection, about a woman in her 60s who goes on a year-long pledge to date a different man every week--but to definitely not fall in love! Very funny and spicy book and it was a delight to interview her and hear about how she also never intended to write a novel but is always curious to learn new things. She took a creative writing class, found she had a knack for comedy and off she went, finding a publishing contract with One More Chapter, a division of HarperCollins. At a time when I am feeling a little beleaguered and battered in my fiction writing/attempt to publish traditionally experience so far, reading about Patricia and meeting Niloufar is great evidence for not giving up.
How wonderful! I'm about to go and have a snoop around to find Patricia's work. I'm 63, had a book published a while ago, then retrieved my rights and self published in 2023. I'm on the brink of publishing my first poetry book any day now, and I'm excited. I think older writers have a lot to offer; we've lived full lives, and can't always identify with the gorgeous young creatures in most romcoms and romances. Right! Off to discover Patricia Sands. Thank you for this!
Hi Francesca, we do have much to offer- many decades of living that can create amazing characters, stories, essays and poems. I have a link at the bottom of my story to all of Patricia’s books on Amazon.
Fascinating - I went off to look at her author page and have now bought a book! I am inspired to think this is possible. I know I am a writer, but a non-fiction writer - however, maybe it's possible to write a novel one day too! Thank you Sally and Patricia :)
Hi Jane, Patricia’s story of falling love with writing a bit later in life than many is really inspiring to me, too. We’ve all got a story that’s a book in us, just waiting to be told.
Thanks for sharing! I am adding The Bridge Club to my reading list and perhaps Patricia Sands will be my new favorite author!
I’m reading it too - need to find out about that controversial ending !
That was the hook for me too!
Hi Sally, I've missed you. Glad to find you again.
What an exciting life that began as 'something to do' and feels like a seasoned passion. Love the travel stories and writing about maturing women. Thank you!
Hi again to you, too! Hope you’re doing well!
I liked that. I will add this book to my summer reading.
Sally as I grow yet again sad & despondent that a novel I worked so hard on over 3 years, and pitched to 67 agents (with 2 full reads that were passed), still lives on my hard drive rather than in the imagination of readers, Patricia inspires me so very much! I turned 65 on Saturday and I won’t let myself believe it’s too late for me.
Amy, Patricia too was turned down many times. I was also quite impressed that she fought the publisher to save her ending. I think many of us what do whatever we were asked just to get the novel to print. Keep on trying!
It was such fun to read this interview with Patricia. She gives me hope, both with her later in life publishing career and her insistence on mature women protagonists and readers who want them, too. Last week on my Substack I interviewed debut author Niloufar Lamakan who wrote Aged to Perfection, about a woman in her 60s who goes on a year-long pledge to date a different man every week--but to definitely not fall in love! Very funny and spicy book and it was a delight to interview her and hear about how she also never intended to write a novel but is always curious to learn new things. She took a creative writing class, found she had a knack for comedy and off she went, finding a publishing contract with One More Chapter, a division of HarperCollins. At a time when I am feeling a little beleaguered and battered in my fiction writing/attempt to publish traditionally experience so far, reading about Patricia and meeting Niloufar is great evidence for not giving up.
How wonderful! I'm about to go and have a snoop around to find Patricia's work. I'm 63, had a book published a while ago, then retrieved my rights and self published in 2023. I'm on the brink of publishing my first poetry book any day now, and I'm excited. I think older writers have a lot to offer; we've lived full lives, and can't always identify with the gorgeous young creatures in most romcoms and romances. Right! Off to discover Patricia Sands. Thank you for this!
Hi Francesca, we do have much to offer- many decades of living that can create amazing characters, stories, essays and poems. I have a link at the bottom of my story to all of Patricia’s books on Amazon.
I’ve ordered one of them:) Looking forward to reading Patricia’s words.